Effect of Neem Leaf Litter Extract on Decomposing Potential of Certain Fungi

The effect of Neem leaf litter extract on decomposition of wheat straw in vitro by Aspergillus niger, A.flavus, A.terreus and Tricoderma lignorum was studied. The maximum decomposition was caused in decreasing sequence by T.lignorum (33.8%) A.niger (24.7%), A.terreus (21.57%) and A.flavus (15.26%). The addition of extract of decomposing neem leaves stimulated the decomposition by A.niger and A.flavus by 12.7% and 13.7% respectively, where as by T.lignorum and A.terreus was inhibited by 4.69% and 4.86% respectively. The decrease in the rate of decomposition by T.lignorum can be attributed to the decrease in the activity of polygalacturonase activity but in case of A.terreus, the decomposition was due to carboxymethylcellulase (CMC).The stimulation of decomposition by A.niger and A.flavus can be attributed to increase in polygalacturonase (PG) activity.